Soups Out for the SUMMER

The soup night crew got together to have a clambake.  This easy recipe shows how to do a stove top version of a clambake.  The recipe has been adapted from the queen of cooking Martha Stewart.  Needless to say it was CLAMTASTIC.   We missed you Anand!

Stove Top Clambake

Serves 6-8

It’s the best to start with great ingredients.  Go to your local fish market.

Ingredients

3 medium onions

7 garlic cloves

1 bottle of pale ale (I choose Sierra Nevada.)

1 cup water

wild chives

1 ½  lbs small new potatoes

1 lb hot dried chorizo, cut into ½ in. coins

coarse salt

40 little neck clams, scrubbed well

6 ears of corn, husked and halved

2 lb mussels, scrubbed and debearded

2 lb large shrimp, shell on

2 tbs butter

3 lemons halved

Directions

It is important that you have all your ingredients ready before you begin this recipe.  Cut all vegetables, and scrub all seafood.  If any of the  clams or mussels are open throw them away.  I like to put each ingredient in a different bowl.  It helps me stay organized.  The order of this is also very important.  Ingredients at the bottom take the longest to cook, while the ingredients on the top take the least amount of time.

Step 1.  Combine onions, garlic, pale ale, and water in a large stock pot (16 qt.)

Step 2.  Cover with wild chives. 

Step 3.  Add potatoes, chorizo, and 1 tbs. salt. Cook covered for 15 min.

Step 4.  Add corn

Step 5.  Add clams, and cook covered for 6 min.

Step 6.  Add mussels and shrimp, cook covered until clams and mussels open and shrimp is cooked  through, about 4-8 min.

Remove seafood, corn, potatoes, and chorizo using tongs, and transfer to a larger rimmed platter of baking sheet.  Discard chives and any unopened clams or mussels.  What remains in the pot is a really excellent spicy broth.  Strain the broth into a bowl and add butter for a great dipping sauce.  Garnish with lemons.

Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits

Makes 1 dozen biscuits

Ingredients

2 ½ cups bisquick baking mix

¾ cup cold whole milk

4 tbs cold butter

¼ tsp garlic powder

1 heaping cup of shredded cheddar cheese

To brush on top

2 tbs butter melted

½ tsp garlic powder

pinch of salt

fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl combine bisquick and butter.  Use your hands to mix.  You don’t want to overmix; there should be chunks of butter the size of peas.  Add cheese, milk, and garlic powder.  Continue to mix with hands.

Drop ¼ cup portions of the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.  

Bake for 15-17 minutes, until lightly browned.  Remove from oven.  Melt butter in the microwave in a small bowl.  Add garlic and salt.  Brush mixture onto each biscuit.  Sprinkle with fresh parsley. 

Team Swan Song

The time has come, I’m sad to say, the last soup night of the season has arrived. Team Swan Song, otherwise known as Mari and Jake, brought the house down for this bittersweet event. They created an Indian-Mexican fusion. To put it simply it was souper.

Menu
Black Bean Tostadas with Mango Chutney
Curried Lentil, Potato and Cauliflower Soup
Tres Leche Cake

Black Bean Tostadas

Ingredients
black beans
salsa
tostadas
mango chutney
avocado
queso fresco cheese

Black Beans

2 tbs. olive oil
1/2 onion
2 cans of beans
1/2 cup water.

Directions
In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add chopped onions, and cook until translucent. Once translucent add beans. Mash beans with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook for a few more minutes, and then add water. Stir to combine.

Salsa

3 tomatoes
1 jalapenos
1/2 onion
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 limes, juiced
1 handful of cilantro

Directions
Dice all ingredients and combine in a bowl.

Assembly

Break tostadas in half and lay them out on a cookie sheet.Spoon black beans onto the tostadas. Cover black beans with salsa and mango chutney. Cut avocado into slices and add to the top. Finish with a sprinkle of cheese.

Curried Lentil, Potato and Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients
1 1/2 tbs olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
6 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
2 large potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and diced
1 16-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
pinch of nutmeg
2 1/2 cups finely chopped cauliflower
2 cups finely chopped fresh spinach leaves
2 tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to cook until both are browned. Add the lentils, celery, and bay leaves. Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a rapid boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and curry powder, and simmer until the potatoes are half done, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the cauliflower and simmer until the lentils and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the spinach, cilantro, and lemon juice. Simmer over low heat for another 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. Serves 6-8.

Tres Leche Cake

Wine and Beer Served

Team Party Mix

Second to last soup night! Team Party Mix, Nick and Kaitlin, did not disappoint. The team was named for the great party mix they serve. So dry those tears my sweet blog readers, and enjoy the pictures from the glorious evening.

Menu

Mixed Greens with Hot Olive-Oil Dressing
Sweet Potato Fries
Lentil Soup
Voss Brownies a la mode

Mixed Greens with Hot Olive-Oil Dressing

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced lengthwise
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tbs Sherry vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 lb mixed greens

Directions
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; add garlic and almonds. Cook, stirring frequently, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Add raisins and cook about 1 minute. Remove from heat and add vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper, stir to combine. Pour hot dressing over greens in a large bowl, tossing with tongs to coat.

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients
6 sweet potatoes
1 egg white
2 tbs water

salt
Dipping sauce- combine Greek yogurt with curry powder and fresh lemon juice.

Directions

Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise into thick fries. Whisk egg white with water, and toss fries in the mixture. Season with salt. Preheat oven to 375. Bake directly on the rack until tender and crispy.

Lentil Soup

Ingredients
2 cups black beluga lentils, rinsed
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp sea salt
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth
3 cups kale, rinsed, deveined, and finely chopped

Saffron Yogurt

30-40 threads of saffron 

1 tablespoon boiling water

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

salt

Directions

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan, add the lentils, and cook for about 20 minutes, until tender. Drain and set aside.

While the lentils are cooking, make the saffron yogurt by combining the saffron threads and boiling water in a tiny cup. Let the saffron steep for a few minutes. Add the saffron water into the yogurt. Mix in the salt and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and salt, and saute until tender, a few minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, lentils, and broth and continue cooking. Bring the soup to a simmer. Bring the soup to a simmer. Stir in the chopped greens, and cook another minute. Season if necessary. Ladle into bowls, and serve with a dollop of the saffron yogurt. Serves 6 to 8.

Brownies
Top secret Voss family recipe

Serve brownies with coffee ice cream and almond slices.

Disco Lazer Disc

Wine Served

Beer Served

Team Kimball

This week Team Kimball rocked our soup night. Named team Kimball for the street they live on. The team consisted of Jeff, Holly, and Anand. However, they had special help from Andrew and Michelle. Andrew, because he is a helpful guy, and Michelle, because she can't stand not having her hands in soup night. Just kidding, she's the best, and they could not of done it without her.

Menu

Bruschetta

Spinach Soup with Rosemary Croutons and Parmesan Crisps

Cake Popsicles with Ice Cream

Bruschetta

Ingredients
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
1 cup roasted red pepper (about 2 peppers), diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbs balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 French baguette
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups prosciutto

Directions

Set the oven to broiler. Combine the roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper, in a large bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes. Cut the baguette into slices. 

On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.

Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese and prosciutto if desired. Broil for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Spinach Soup with Rosemary Croutons and Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients
Croutons
2 cups sourdough bread, cut into cubes
2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbs finely chopped fresh rosemary

Parmesan crisps
coarsely grated parmesan cheese (use the large holes on a cheese grater)

Soup
1 tbs butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbs finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups diced peeled yellow potatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
6 cups fresh spinach, stems removed
diced ham for garnish

Directions
To prepare croutons: Preheat oven to 375°F.
Toss bread cubes, oil, garlic and rosemary in a large bowl until well combined. Lay out on a large baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned and crispy, about 12 to 15 minutes.

To prepare parmesan crisps: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Evenly space small piles of parmesan on a large nonstick cookie sheet. Spread out parmesan mounds so that they become 3 inch wide circles. Bake for five minutes or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling and a light golden brown color. Overcooking cheese will lead to a bitter taste. Let the crisps cool, and transfer to a cooling rack, using a thin spatula.

To prepare soup:

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 3 minutes.

Pour in broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.

Add spinach and continue to simmer until the greens are tender, about 10 minutes.

Puree the soup with an immersion blender, leaving it a little chunky if desired.

Serve the soup garnished with ham, if desired, and topped with croutons and parmesan crisps.

Cake Popsicles with Ice Cream

Cake Ball Mix
What you need

1 batch Dark Chocolate Cake 
(*see recipe below)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioners sugar

4 tbs butter

1 tbs milk (or more, if necessary)

Bake the cake* and let it cool completely on a rack. It's best to let it cool overnight. When it is completely cool, break the cake into a large bowl. Crumble it with your fingers until it is a fine crumb.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and milk together until smooth, using a hand blender. Pour the mixture into the cake crumbs and mix with a spoon. Then continue mixing with your fingers, kneading and mixing until fully distributed into the cake. Start forming it into balls, rolling small amounts of the mixture in your hands to form one inch balls. If it needs a little extra moisture, add milk a spoonful at a time. Insert popsicle stick into each ball.

To Decorate
Dark chocolate

White chocolate
Coconut

Using a double boiler, melt the dark or white chocolate. Holding the popsicle by the stick coat the cake in either dark or white chocolate. You can also roll the cake in coconut.

Serve with ice cream.

*Dark Chocolate Cake

makes two 9-inch round cakes or three 8-inch round cakes

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixer bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat for 2 minutes. Mix in boiling water, and stir. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack, then tap the cakes out of the pans.

Wine Served

Beer Served